Domestic violence calls fall in Santa Cruz County

SANTA CRUZ -- October had the fewest reports of domestic violence in Santa Cruz County since at least 2008, but violence prevention advocates said the number was still too high.

The Santa Cruz County District Attorney's Office has compiled domestic violence calls each October for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. There were 467 calls related to domestic violence, restraining order violations and other domestic disputes.

In 2011 there were 528 calls. In 2010 there were 546 calls, and in 2008, 495 calls.

Laura Segura, executive director of Women's Crisis Support-Defensa de Mujeres, said an average of 15 calls a day was too many for a county of roughly 250,000 people.

Domestic violence happens when an intimate partner uses coercive physical, sexual, psychological or economic abuse, according to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office.

Authorities have said it crosses all ethnic and socioeconomic lines, yet victims often don't want neighbors or friends to see a deputy at their door.

Santa Cruz sheriff's Sgt. Steve Carney said victims can be referred to services by phone if they do not want a deputy to visit.

He noted that not every call of domestic violence has led to a report. Sometimes neighbors call about noise at another house that turns out not to be a domestic dispute.

Segura and others have urged victims to come forward early and not stand for violence. Victims typically wait for eight violent episodes before they seek help, Segura said.

"I think what's important for victims to know is that they're not alone."

She encouraged people to call the 24-hour domestic violence hotline at 888-900-4232 or seek counseling or a support group.

Women's Crisis Support/Defensa de Mujeres has offices at 1685 Commercial Way in Santa Cruz and at 233 E. Lake Ave. in Watsonville. It offers counseling, shelter and legal assistance for victims. The group is online at www.wcs-ddm.org.

The District Attorney's Office has a specialized victim's witness unit. Victims can file a report and get state assistance with cases and other resources. Call the office at 454-2400 and ask for the victim's witness unit for more information.

The Walnut Avenue Women's Center at 303 Walnut Ave. also provides domestic-violence support groups, an emergency shelter and other resources. Log on to www.wawc.org for information.

Segura said her group has focused on prevention.

"It's very cost-effective. In the long run, it's going to pay off," she said.

A 24-hour domestic violence hotline can be reached at 888-900-4232.Counseling, shelter and legal assistance for victims is available at Women's Crisis Support/Defensa de Mujeres has offices at 1685 Commercial Way in Santa Cruz and 233 E. Lake Ave. in Watsonville. Log on to www.wcs-ddm.org for more.The Walnut Avenue Women's Center at 303 Walnut Ave. provides domestic violence support groups, an emergency shelter and other resources. Log on to www.wawc.org.The District Attorney's office offers victims reporting services, ways to get state assistance with cases and other resources. Call the office at 454-2400 and ask for the victim's witness unit.